——-|———|———-|———|
| TDS (Technical Data Sheet) | Specifies material’s physical, mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties | Engineers, designers, QC teams | Tensile strength, HDT, density, melt flow, print recommendations |
| SDS (Safety Data Sheet) | Communicates hazard information, safe handling, and emergency procedures | Safety officers, logistics, regulatory compliance | Chemical composition, hazards, first aid, firefighting, disposal |
### How to Read a Filament TDS: The 10 Critical Fields
**1. Material Identification**
Filament type (PLA, PETG, PA6-CF20), manufacturer name, product code, revision date. Verify the TDS matches your specific batch.
**2. Diameter & Tolerance**
The most critical specification for print quality. Look for: “1.75 ± 0.03mm” or better. “± 0.05mm” is standard; “± 0.02mm” is premium (Prusament-level).
**3. Density**
Affects part weight and cost calculations. PLA: 1.24 g/cm³; PETG: 1.27 g/cm³; PA6-CF20: 1.25 g/cm³; PPS-CF: 1.35 g/cm³.
**4. Tensile Strength (MPa)**
Maximum stress before failure, measured per ISO 527 or ASTM D638. Critical for load-bearing parts. PLA: ~52 MPa; PA6-CF20: ~109 MPa.
**5. Tensile Modulus / Young’s Modulus (MPa)**
Measures stiffness. Higher = more rigid. PLA: ~3,500 MPa; PA6-CF20: ~8,600 MPa.
**6. Elongation at Break (%)**
Ductility — how much the material stretches before breaking. PLA: 5-10% (brittle); TPU: 300-600% (elastic); PA6-CF: 2-4% (stiff, low ductility).
**7. Flexural Strength & Modulus (MPa)**
Bending resistance. Especially important for brackets, clips, and snap-fit parts.
**8. Impact Strength (kJ/m²)**
Izod or Charpy impact resistance. Measures toughness. TPU: no break; PLA: ~5 kJ/m²; PA-CF: ~15-25 kJ/m².
**9. Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT, °C)**
Temperature at which the material deflects under load. Most practical measure of heat resistance. Verified at 0.45 MPa and 1.8 MPa.
**10. Melt Flow Index (MFI)**
Viscosity in melt state. Higher MFI = easier flow = higher print speeds possible. Important for high-speed filament evaluation.
### Red Flags When Reading a TDS
– **Missing test standards**: “Tensile strength: 50 MPa” without specifying ISO 527 or ASTM D638 is meaningless
– **”Typical values only” without ranges**: Acceptable range shows quality control rigor
– **No batch-specific data**: Generic TDS without CoA linkage suggests weak QC
– **Unrealistic claims**: “PLA with 120°C HDT” without specifying annealing protocol
– **Missing print recommendations**: Nozzle temp, bed temp, drying instructions should be included
### SDS: What Procurement Teams Need to Know
While engineers focus on TDS, procurement and logistics teams must review SDS for:
– **Transport Classification**: Is the material classified as dangerous goods?
– **Storage Requirements**: Temperature, humidity, ventilation
– **Disposal Regulations**: Local environmental compliance
– **Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)**: Especially relevant for post-processing (sanding CF materials)
Most standard filaments (PLA, PETG) are non-hazardous. However, some specialty materials (PPS, PEEK) may require SDS review for workplace safety.
### Why Documentation Matters for B2B Buying
In professional procurement, undocumented material properties = unqualified material. When evaluating suppliers, ask:
1. Is the TDS specific to this product and batch?
2. Are test methods and standards clearly stated?
3. Is a Certificate of Analysis available for each batch?
4. Are RoHS and REACH compliance documents available?
5. Is the documentation regularly updated?
PolyForgeX provides comprehensive TDS, SDS, and CoA documentation for every product in our catalog. [Download technical documentation](/resources/) or [request batch-specific CoA](/contact/).